“I don’t blame you or them, Cassidy. I’ve been having the same thoughts. Back in Chicago, I worked at an advertising agency. I had a professional career and was moving up the corporate ladder fast. I’m getting sick of guys looking at my body, flirting, taking pictures, and all the bullshit lately. I worry about Turbo and the guys. And the other night these weird men in suits came in and gave me the creeps.”
“That’s terrible. Hey, I heard that there were some threats to some of the businesses and that the Beach Club had a fire set on purpose.”
“Where did you hear that from?”
“Peter told me about it. He and his brothers were worried about me working at Prestige, too.”
“I think it’s all connected to a case Turbo is working on with Jake and Buddy. They had gotten the heads up about threats to business owners for payoffs and protection. Pretty scary stuff,” Frankie told Cassidy.
“Shit, I heard about this from Peter. These thugs didn’t try anything at Prestige with Lure and Charlie, did they?”
“Are you kidding me? Those two psychos would shoot someone and probably get rid of the body before anyone knew anything. Lure and Charlie are resourceful. I can tell you that much,” Frankie said, and Cassidy chuckled.
“They are very mysterious men. So do you really think you’ll quit and look for something like you had in Chicago? I’m so glad you trust me enough to tell me more about your past. It makes me feel good,” Cassidy said.
Frankie smiled as she reached over and patted her hand.
“I do trust you. You’re my best friend.”
Frankie felt teary-eyed, and with one look at Cassidy, she could tell her friend was tearing up, too.
“I’m you’re only female friend,” she said, trying to act tough and not sound mushy.
Frankie laughed. “True. I don’t waste time with the fake friends. So sounds like we both have some decisions to make. Move in with our men or hold off awhile longer.”
“Mine gave me until tomorrow,” Cassidy said.
“I’ve got two days,” Frankie said then sipped her margarita.
Cassidy chuckled then sipped her drink. “It’s not like it’s going to be hell. I can basically have cock any time I want.”
Frankie nearly choked on her drink as she laughed, shocked at Cassidy’s statement.
“But that also means they can have pussy as much as they want, too. I don’t know if mine can handle so much,” Cassidy added.
“I didn’t really think of it like that. I’m focusing on how much more independence I’m giving up by moving in with them and letting them take care of me. There’s this fear that they could lose interest or get pissed at me and some of my bad habits.”
“That’s part of living together. I fear the same thing. They continue to live in their place and do their thing, and my life is turned upside down, and it’s like starting over. The only familiar thing to focus on is their bed.”
“I’m in love with them,” Frankie admitted as the waitress delivered their salads.
Cassidy reached over and covered her hand with hers. “I figured as much. I think I’m in love with my men, but then I get this ache, this fearful sensation in my gut, and imagine one of them striking me, beating me like Keith did.”
Cassidy leaned back.
“Oh, Cassidy, they would never do that.”
“I know. It just pops into my head. Sometimes, when one of them goes to reach for me or approaches from behind, I flinch or tighten up. Peter and Jimmy get pissed. Toby, Sam, and Reggie try to console me and tell me they understand and to not be fearful. It makes the atmosphere change.”
“Well, it’s understandable that you have those fears. Perhaps living with them and having them always around will help you realize they wouldn’t hurt you and that they love you, too.”
“That’s the big decision,” Cassidy said then forked a piece of grilled chicken and lettuce and popped it into her mouth.
Frankie took a bite of hers, and then they both smiled.
“You know we’re probably going to give in to their demands. They’re all just too damn sexy,” Cassidy stated.
Frankie nodded. “They sure are, and they make me feel things I’ve never felt before or thought I could.”
“I hear you.”
Cassidy’s phone buzzed, and she looked down at it.
“It’s Reggie. He was working late. I didn’t see him this morning.”
“Answer it,” Frankie told her.
She listened to them talking and then caught Cassidy’s eye. Frankie whispered to her, “I’m going to go use the ladies’ room. I’ll be back.” She winked and smiled, wanting to give Cassidy some privacy.
She headed toward the hallway that led to the bathrooms and back door. Just as she began to push open the door, she felt the tight grip on her arm and was shoved hard against the doorframe.
She gasped then tightened up as she heard his voice.
“Hello, Frankie. Did you miss me?” Kevin asked.
The tears emerged, and she lost her ability to react in any way other than in shock. He turned her around and pressed her against the wall.
She was speechless and totally shocked. Then she remembered Cassidy and worried about her friend. She turned that way then back toward Kevin. The men popped into her head. What if he’d seen her with them? What if Kevin had been watching her this entire time and he knew about Turbo, Mike, Nate, and Rye?
His one hand held her hip as his other lay against her throat. He used his thumb to gently caress her skin. But she knew he was pissed. She saw the anger, the rage in his gray eyes, despite his calm tone. How had he found her? How long had he been watching her? Were Turbo, Nate, Mike, and Rye okay, or had Kevin done something to them already?
“Kevin.”
He gripped her throat tighter. “No talking here. You’re coming with me. Don’t make any attempts to run, or your new girlfriend Cassidy won’t live to finish her salad.”
He knew her name. He must have been watching her for a while.
She nodded, and he turned her toward the back exit. He shoved it open and led her to an SUV with black tinted windows.
As they got into the back seat, she saw two guys. One was driving, and the other she recognized from Prestige. He’d been with the three men she’d gotten annoyed with that night. Who were they?
“I’ll call Carlotto and tell him we’re on our way to the airport,” the guy said and turned around in the passenger seat.
“Carlotto?” she whispered.
Kevin held her gaze.
“He’s waiting on us in Chicago,” Kevin told her then pulled her hands together and wrapped them with duct tape.
“You’re hurting me,” she cried out as he placed her hands over the back seat headrest of the passenger side of the car then taped them to the headrest so she wouldn’t be able to move or get free.
Her ass lay halfway off the edge of the back seat in the large SUV because she was so petite.
He sat down on the left side behind the driver’s side of the car.
“That’s nothing compared to what Carlotto is going to do to you for taking off,” the guy in the passenger seat stated.
“You work for Carlotto?” she asked.
“He works for Gino Baletti. The driver you probably remember from Chicago. Santana.”
She did remember him. He was one of Carlotto’s right-hand men. They were going to take her back to Chicago and back to Carlotto. Did Kevin realize that Carlotto wanted her for himself?
“Why are you letting them do this? Why are you helping them?”
He ran his hand up and down her back then under her blouse. She tightened up and scooted closer to the passenger seat to evade his touch, but he wouldn’t have that. He used his other hand to move up her thigh and under her skirt.
She closed her thighs as best she could, and he gripped tighter.
“Come on now. You know you missed me. I missed you. Can’t wait to get you back home to the penthouse after I do business with Carlotto.”
“Missed you? I hate you. I hate you even more for being under Carlotto’s thumb and now handing me over to him.”
“I’m not handing anything over to him.”
“Sure you are. Why do you think he sent you to come get me? He wants me for himself. He’s going to kill you. That’s why I ran. He wanted me in his bed. He’s using you.”
Kevin just smiled softly at her. The SUV came to a stop at a red light.
“Don’t you think I know what I’m doing? Haven’t I always done right by you?” He slowly pulled the revolver from his waist, and in a flash, the situation took a turn for the worse.
She screamed as he shot the driver in the back of the head and then the guy Santana, Carlotto’s man. She screamed and cried out, trying to pull her hands and arms from the headrest as Kevin hopped over the front seat. He shoved one body out onto the street and closed the door then shoved the other body out on the street and closed the door. The light turned green, and he sped off with horns honking and chaos all around them. She was crying hysterically, not knowing where he was taking her or what he had planned.
Kevin was alive and here in Treasure Town. She’d just witnessed him killing two men, one being Carlotto, and now he was taking her somewhere with him. She was going to die. She was never going to see her men again, and she cursed herself for wasting time. She should have said yes immediately to moving in with her men. She should have enjoyed that time with them because, now, she would never see them again. Kevin would make certain of that.